A man who police say was attempting to rob a liquor store was in for quite a shock when the clerk he tried holding up pulled out a gun of his own.

According to The News Leader, the would-be robber pulled a gun on a man working at Beer 30, a liquor store in Marionville, Missouri.

Unbeknownst to him, the man behind the counter served 30 years in the military, including four tours of duty in Iraq. He also is a former prison guard, private investigator, professional extraditor of federal prisoners, and a proud owner of a Walther PPX 9 mm handgun.

That 9 mm belongs to Jon Lewis Alexander and was loaded with one in the chamber, which is the way he always carries it.

The security video was released to YouTube, you can watch it above (mobile users click here).

In the video, the suspect pulls a gun out but Alexander moves quickly, pushing the man's hand back with his left hand and pulling his 9 mm out with his right.

He pointed it at the man's mouth and, according to Alexander, he said "you need to get out of here before I blow your head off", after a second of consideration, the suspect turned and left.

Classic example of why just having a gun can deescalate things contrary to what some people think.

Well, to be more accurate, he pulled out the gun in order to defend himself and scare off the offender. It's also true that this guy seems to be very well trained and used to high tense situations. I don't know if just anyone could have reacted as smoothly and, for lack of a better word, professionally as he did.